Mali's Incoming President Seeks National Reconciliation

Mali's incoming president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, says he will focus on national reconciliation when he takes office next month.

In his first public statement since his election victory earlier this month, Mr. Keita vowed to work on restoring democracy. He told supporters in Bamako on Wednesday that it was a "new era" that was "full of promises and challenges."

Mr. Keita takes office on September 4. He faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding and reuniting Mali after a 2012 coup and an Islamist takeover in the north.

On Tuesday, Mali's constitutional court cleared the way for Mr. Keita to become president by confirming the results of the August 11 presidential run-off.

Election officials said Mr. Keita captured 77.6 percent of the vote while his rival, former finance minister Soumaila Cisse won just over 22 percent. ###